Improved park-and-ride key to lifting public transport use and easing congestion

Monday, 27th August, 2018

The AA survey showing huge support for more investment in park-and-ride is no surprise and shows a key weakness in Auckland’s efforts to ease congestion, says Auckland Business Chamber head Michael Barnett.

The survey showed that most park-and-ride spaces were full by 7.30am. There are also security issues with vehicles being broken into that discourages many commuters, said Barnett.

“As in many cities worldwide, a secure multistory building with car parks on the lower levels and office and accommodation on the upper levels is needed at all Auckland’s bus and train stations.”

Given Auckland Council has a debt crisis that has for years prevented investment in core infrastructure of this type, Barnett encouraged Auckland Council to design an investment strategy and campaign to attract private sector enterprise to solve the problem.

“We cannot continue on using a shortage of money for allowing Auckland’s congestion issues to get worse, when there is an obvious answer to the problem,” said Barnett.